Japan has distinct seasonal changes and values the transitions of the four seasons, fostering a culture that harmonizes with nature. People enjoy seasonal events and foods throughout the year. For instance,
in spring, people enjoy bamboo shoots; in summer, watermelon; in autumn, chestnuts and mushrooms; and in winter, hot pot dishes.
Actually, there are four seasons in Japan, however, global warming has been causing serious changes. Summer is getting longer and hotter. Hence, it seems that spring, autumn, winter are shorter. Each season has almost 3 months to change. Since the ancient times, the Japanese enjoy seasonal tastes. They remain as customs in the present day.
Maybe for the last over 40 or 50 years, we definitely have 4 seasons and we could eat seasonal food, which kept us healthy. Now that variety in meals fulfill our daily life, we tend to forget seasonal cuisine. Our body recognize what we should take in each season to maintain our health. As for me, in a certain summer several years ago, a co-worker told me to take pear in summer in order to cool my body. I was shocked at her words because I totally forgot eating pear in my childhood in every summer. YES, I was in a good health when I was young in summer. Our long-standing dietary habits make our body healthy.
I would love you to take seasonal cuisine when you come over to Japan.
Spring (March–May):
A Season of New Beginnings
🌸 Characteristics: The weather warms up, cherry blossoms bloom, and it is a season of graduations, school entrance ceremonies, and new beginnings.
🎎 Culture & Traditions:Hanami
(Cherry blossom viewing and picnics)
Hinamatsuri (March 3, celebrating the growth of girls)
Spring festivals (e.g., Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto)
🍡 Seasonal Foods: Sakura mochi, bamboo shoots, rapeseed blossoms, strawberries
Summer (June–August):
A Season of Heat and Energy
🌞 Characteristics: The rainy season (June), humid and hot summer, and typhoon season.
🎇 Culture & Traditions:Tanabata (July 7, writing wishes on strips of paper)
Fireworks festivals (Held across the country)
Obon (Welcoming ancestors’ spirits, Bon Odori dance)
🍉 Seasonal Foods: Watermelon, chilled Chinese noodles, somen noodles, shaved ice
Autumn (September–November): A Season of Harvest and Autumn Leaves
🍁 Characteristics: The air becomes cooler and clearer, and autumn leaves are beautiful.
🍂 Culture & Traditions:Momijigari (Viewing autumn leaves such as maple and ginkgo trees)
Otsukimi (Moon-viewing festival, offering rice dumplings)
Harvest festivals (Celebrating the autumn harvest across Japan)
🌰 Seasonal Foods: Chestnuts, Pacific saury, matsutake mushrooms, new rice
Winter (December–February): A Season of Cold and Year-End Events
❄ Characteristics: Some regions experience snowfall, and warm dishes are preferred.
🎍 Culture & Traditions:
Kotatsu & Mikan (Traditional winter comforts)
🍲 Seasonal Foods: Hot pot dishes, rice cakes, Osechi cuisine, pufferfish
New Year’s Eve & New Year’s (Temple bells, first shrine visit, Osechi cuisine)
Setsubun (Throwing beans to drive away evil spirits)
